It was a huge game from Aaron Brooks and the bench as the Chicago Bulls came back and beat the Toronto Raptors, 104-97
Bulls get a big spark from their bench
It looked like a track meet in the first half as both teams raced out to big scoring halves. Derrick Rose, who had a good game in Chicago's last game against Dallas, got off to another good start as he scored or assisted in nine of Chicago's first 12 points. But Toronto was also efficient on the offensive end in the first half as well. Luis Scola got off to a fast start in the first quarter as he scored 12 points to lead all scorers in the first. Toronto held a 32-23 lead after the first as they shot 54 percent from the field and looked to be in command of the game.
Down double digits to begin the second, Chicago got a big boost from their bench players in the second quarter. It was Aaron Brooks and rookie Bobby Portis who scored Chicago's first 16 points in the second quarter to help Chicago comeback and take the lead. When the Bulls tied up the game with 4:50 left in the first half, Brooks and Portis had already combined for 21 points. It was a much more tighter game as halftime came around, as Toronto held a 52-49 lead. Aaron Brooks led the scoring for Chicago with 13 and Kyle Lowry and Scola each had 13 for Toronto in the first half.
The Pau Gasol show in the third quarter.
Like in the second quarter, it was a tight affair in the third quarter as the teams battled back and forth. Chicago got a big contribution from Pau Gasol who scored 13 points in the third quarter. He helped Chicago take the lead for good with around three minutes left in the third. Gasol and Chicago had a big run at the end of the third quarter, as Chicago went on an 8-0 run to take a 78-73 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
It was more of the same from Chicago as the bench continued to make an impact against Toronto. With Brooks and Portis on the floor, Chicago kept building the lead against Toronto as they looked to close the game against the Raptors. It was a quarter to remember for Tony Snell as he scored 12 points in the fourth, helping the Bulls hold off the Raptors and come out with the 104-97 win.
After failing to show up down the stretch against Dallas, the Bulls were able to show up when it mattered most against one of the top teams in the East. But the Bulls have to be more consistent as they have the talent to be a dominant power in the East but they just can't seem to put a string of games together.
Top Performers
Raptors: Kyle Lowry led all scorers with 28 points (9-of-15 shooting), nine assists, six rebounds and three steals. DeMar DeRozan added 19 points (7-of-14 shooting), eight rebounds and eight assists. Luis Scola finished with 13 points, 12 of which came in the first quarter.
Bulls: Pau Gasol and Tony Snell led Chicago with 22 points apiece. Derrick Rose finished with 20 points (7-of-16 shooting) and four assists. Aaron Brooks came off the bench with 17 points and five assists. Bobby Portis added 12 points and nine rebounds.